Health Sciences electives
The following list shows the units of study available as electives or research electives to postgraduate students throughout the faculty. The mode of presentation varies between academic units. Units are offered subject to sufficient demand and staff availability.
Students who require further information on the content or administration of electives and when they are offered should contact the coordinator of the specific unit of study.
Health Sciences postgraduate electives
Availability of electives may vary from year to year.
BACH5085 Clinical Teaching and Supervision
This unit of study is not available in 2019
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Online learning mode Assessment: Written reflection 500wds (5%), online activities (45%), presentation (50%) Mode of delivery: Online
This unit of study is concerned with exploring current theory and best practice in teaching and supervision in clinical settings. Participants will be expected to develop a critical and research-informed understanding of the clinical setting as a highly complex and specialised context for student learning, and to investigate and argue for the application of teaching/learning strategies to a learning problem in their own clinical education contexts.
BACH5321 Psychology for Graduate Students
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jennifer Fletcher Session: Semester 1 Classes: On-line Assessment: 4xonline short answer assessments of 1500wd equivalent length each (4x25%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: BACH5321 is only available to those who have been assessed by the course director as requiring Psychology content. These students will be given departmental permission to enrol in BACH5321.
This unit provides students with an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives, concepts and vocabulary of psychology. Psychology is concerned with the science of human behaviour - how individuals perceive, think about, and behave in the world. It is concerned with identifying how internal determinants (characteristics unique to the person, and part of physical or psychological make-up) and external determinants (physical environment and social context) impact upon the individual. It is also concerned with the way in which people change over time, as well as explaining and predicting what they might do at any one time. The unit aims to position psychology as an essential ingredient in understanding health behaviour. This unit is only available to students who have no undergraduate studies in psychology.
BIOS5041 Ageing, Biology and Health
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Peter Knight Session: Semester 2 Classes: Web-based. No on-campus attendance required Assessment: Two 2000 word essays (100%) Mode of delivery: Online
This unit studies human ageing from biological perspectives. The unit is designed to address issues relevant to health care service provision and the promotion of quality of life in ageing. It is not directed at a specific professional group, and addresses issues related to ageing in a generalist way. The emphasis is on understanding the main features of 'normal' ageing or senescence as distinct from disease processes and the contribution of environmental factors to ageing. It has three modules: the first addresses the processes underlying the process of ageing, the second addresses how health service interventions can modify the response to ageing in beneficial and detrimental ways; and the third focuses on the roles of nutrition and exercise in improving the wellbeing of the ageing population.
BIOS5090 Clin. Oriented Musculoskeletal Anatomy A
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Darren Reed Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2hr lectures, 2hr practical-tutorial/week Prohibitions: BIOS1168 Assessment: Histology online class quiz (5%), x3 practical examinations in semester (60%), end semester exam (35%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study introduces the basic concepts in musculoskeletal anatomy prior to a more detailed study of the gross anatomical structure of the upper limb and vertebral column as they relate to functional activities. Material will be presented in lectures, practical and tutorial sessions and online. Students will also be expected to undertake some independent learning activities. This unit includes laboratory classes in which human cadavers are studied; attendance at such classes is strongly encouraged.
EXSS5029 Exercise Metabolism and Physiology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Tom Gwinn Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2-4-hrs lectures/week, 2-hr practical in selected weeks Assessment: Mid semester exam (25%), practical assignments (15%), end semester exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The subject has a major emphasis on the responses of skeletal muscle metabolism to the acute stress imposed by exercise, and how muscle metabolism is altered by endurance training. Respiratory gas analysis of whole body metabolism is used to investigate muscle metabolism, and students will gain skills in both practical aspects of collection of gas exchange data and in the calculation and interpretation of data in terms of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and fuel oxidation. In addition, the acute cardiovascular and respiratory responses to exercises are examined and cardiovascular adaptations to training are discussed.
Recent discoveries in the area of molecular signalling pathways are used to integrate topic areas of muscle fatigue, improved endurance capacity following training and the health benefits of regular exercise.
EXSS5050 Human Motor Learning and Control
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ross Sanders Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 2-hr seminars/week Assessment: Written group project report (30%);project video (20%); presentation of the project and video (15%) and end semester exam (35%) Practical field work: Skill training project and production of instructional video of 20 hours over 4 weeks Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit aims to develop student's knowledge and insight into the motor control and learning principles underpinning Exercise Physiology practice. The lecture and tutorial structure reflects a transition from acquisition of knowledge, to consideration of the implications, to practice. Thus, the first five weeks of the unit follow a pattern of lectures to provide the background knowledge, readings of papers that explore the efficacy of therapeutic practices or interventions, and accounts of 'real world' experience of working with patients using case-study reports and/or guest speakers. Weeks six to 10 enable students to develop a program of therapy or rehabilitation based on evidence-based strategies that emerge from the knowledge base and further exploration of extant literature. The final phase is the development of an instructional video that can be used as a guide for practitioners in the treatment of neurological disorders.
Textbooks
Magill RA (2011) Motor Learning and Control. Concepts and Applications, 9th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill; Edwards WH. (2011). Motor learning and Control: From theory to practice. Belmont, USA; Wadsworth, Cengage learning; Schmidt RA, Lee TD (2011) Motor Control and Learning: A Behavioral Emphasis. 5th edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
HSBH5001 FHS Abroad
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Elizabeth Dylke Session: Intensive December,Intensive July,Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Full day briefing session, half day debriefing session Assessment: Pre-departure research (30%), field diary (20%), report (40%) and presentation (10%) Mode of delivery: Field experience
Note: Students interested in participating must obtain permission from their course director before enrolling in FHS Abroad.
Cultural practices, disease patterns and healthcare systems are vastly different in different countries around the globe. This unit provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience in a health services setting in a developing country. Students will participate in a 4-6 week health or care placement with a community-based organisation in South or Southeast Asia. Countries where students can be placed include Vietnam, Cambodia, India and The Philippines. As part of the unit, you will be expected to participate in local development programs, live within the community you are visiting, and document and reflect on key health and development issues facing local populations. The unit will require you to demonstrate project management skills, cultural sensitivity and an ability to adapt to new environments, a capacity for critical reflection and awareness of complex global health and development issues.
HSBH5002 FHS Indigenous Communities
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josephine Gwynn Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr introduction session (to be completed before enrolment), 5x2-hr workshops,1x2-hr debriefing session, and online learning activities Prerequisites: Successful completion of all 1st year units in a graduate entry masters FHS degree Assessment: Pre-fieldwork preparation paper 1000wd (30%), participation and contribution to online learning activities and discussion (10%), Fieldwork critical reflection report (60%) Practical field work: 4-6 weeks working in an Indigenous community. Please note this will occur over the summer break at the end of Semester 2. Mode of delivery: Field experience
This unit provides theoretical and practical knowledge about relevant models of community development in Aboriginal communities in New South Wales. Students will gain experience in working with Aboriginal communities in a health services setting. Students participate in a 4-6 week placement in a local Aboriginal community. The placement is preceded by cultural awareness training by the FHS partner organisation. Students participate in a community identified development project. Students will document and report on their experiences in working with the local Aboriginal community. Students will be required to demonstrate project management skills including time management and reporting abilities. Students are required to attend briefing and debriefing activities and complete on-line learning activities in addition to their field experience.
HSBH5003 e-Health for Health Professionals
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Tim Shaw, Anna Janssen Session: Semester 1 Classes: online and 3x3-hrs face to face workshops Assessment: eHealth Evaluation (40%), eHealth Innovation Challenge (40%), eHealth reflection task (10%), participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
The aim of this unit is to provide future health professionals with a strong foundation in e-Health on which they can make evidence-based decisions. In particular, this unit will provide students with opportunities to examine:
. How technology affects health care in different Australian health contexts
. Ethical issues surrounding e-Health
. Innovations in e-Health
. How emerging technologies affect patient-centred communication between health professionals, and health professionals and their clients/patients
. Strategies for interacting with patients and clients using different technologies
. Strategies for engaging in multi-disciplinary e-Healthcare delivery
. The relationship between technologies, data and the wider information network
Students will develop their skills in a variety of technologies identified as key e-Health skills for clinicians. Students will create an e-Health delivery portfolio to showcase these skills. This unit will also enable students to be lifelong learners by providing them with reflective learning skills. Reflective learning skills are identified as essential for lifelong learning.
HSBH5007 Living with Cancer
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Lynette Mackenzie Session: Semester 1 Classes: online, no on-campus attendance required Prerequisites: 24 credit points of postgraduate level units of study Assumed knowledge: Fieldwork experience, anatomy and physiology Assessment: On-line discussions (20%) Written report (40%), Workbook with short answer questions to cover online learning activities and readings (40%) Mode of delivery: Online
Cancer is a highly prevalent health issue in the community and survival rates are increasing for many cancers. Because of its impact, cancer is also a national health priority and is a key research area at the University. This unit of study will introduce students to a range of issues and topics related to the entire cancer trajectory including prevention, detection, diagnosis, interventions, rehabilitation, survivorship and palliative care. Topics to be covered will include an overview of the pathophysiology of cancer and the medical management of this condition, detection of cancer (imaging), effective rehabilitation interventions and roles of health professionals, long term survivorship issues, communication strategies for people living with cancer and their families, and an overview of services available to support people living with cancer. for the cancer community, including the patient. Key issues that will be addressed include person-centred care informed by current evidence.
OCCP5235 Stroke Rehabilitation
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Margaret McGrath Session: Semester 1 Classes: 8 x 2 hour seminars and a series of online lectures Assessment: Online Quiz (30%), Participation in 8 seminars (10%), Written exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit provides the opportunity for health professionals from any background to increase their knowledge and experience of stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this unit is to develop student understanding of the long-term nature of stroke recovery and rehabilitation after stroke. Topics will include stroke epidemiology, brain plasticity, person-centred goal setting, mobility, travel and driving, upper limb and cognitive retraining, communication, mood changes and self-management.
REHB5068 Public Offenders: Aspects of Rehab
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Rodd Rothwell Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online Prohibitions: REHB5016 or REHB3062 Assessment: Mid-semester quiz (30%), tutorial discussions (30%), essay (40%) Mode of delivery: Distance education
This unit introduces students to issues relating to the management of public offenders for both adults of young offenders. Students will consider the major theories of criminality and their implications for rehabilitation in correctional settings. They will examine and comment on the different approaches to males/females/young offenders. Attention will be paid to incarceration policy and issues relating to those with mental health problems and with problems of addiction. Students will also be introduced to the range of correctional alternatives within and outside jails, e.g., community service options, weekend jail, work release and probation and parole, etc. In addition, students will examine the role of professionals in and out of jails. They will examine and assess the role of health professionals in the area of addiction, mental health, and HIV counselling within the jail system and the ethical issues surrounding these services. Also covered will be the role of health service professionals working with offenders in non-jail programs: e.g., probation and parole, community service and civil rehabilitation.
Faculty research electives
BACH5068 Statistics for Clinical Research
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Rob Heard Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Off-campus Assessment: 4xwritten assignments, descriptive statistics (10%), inferential statistics 1 (25%), inferential statistics 2 (25%), regression and non-parametrics statistics (40%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Students must have access to a PC to load and use the statistics packages SAS or SPSS
This unit introduces students to basic statistical principles relevant to the manipulation and analysis of clinical data. Students will be exposed to concepts of sampling, distributions of scores, summaries of data, and treatment of categorical and quantitative data. This last topic will include chi square analysis, calculation of confidence intervals, tests for differences in the locations of samples (including t-tests and tests for non-normally distributed data), correlation and regression, sample size estimation and an introduction to survival analysis. It is expected that at the conclusion of the unit students will be able to: appraise published statistical analyses; perform simple statistical tests by hand and with the assistance of a computer package SAS or SPSS; and present statistical data.
Textbooks
Various recommended texts on introductory statistics
BACH5255 Qualitative Research Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Justin McNab Session: Semester 2 Classes: online delivery (no attendance). Assessment: 1x2000wd essay based on contributions to discussion board about research methodology (40%) and 1x4,000wd essay draft research proposal (60%) Mode of delivery: Distance education
This unit focuses on qualitative research methodologies, including the disciplinary traditions that contribute to qualitative methodologies and the construction of knowledge using qualitative methods. The implications of methodology for research design will be examined, as will approaches to data collection and analysis. Activities to build skills in research design, data collection and data analysis will be included. Students will work on a research project of their choice throughout the semester.
OCCP5145 Research Elective Independent Study
This unit of study is not available in 2019
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Lynette Mackenzie Session: Semester 1 Classes: Independent learning Prerequisites: OCCP5207 Assessment: written assignment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Students will undertake a supervised research project in an area relevant to the discipline of occupational therapy. This unit is designed to assist students with the development and completion of an independent research study usually in the form of a structured / focused literature review on a specific topic. Students will develop an understanding of the strengths of different evidence relating to their topic and will develop their skills in critical review. Students will effectively communicate the aims, methods, findings and implications of their project in a written assignment.
Textbooks
Course notes and readings provided dependent on the research topic